Wednesday, November 26, 2008

The world financial crisis may often seem intangible, with talk of collateralized mortgage swaps and huge multi-billion dollar bailout plans, but in the end it comes down to nuts-and-bolts sacrifices made on a local level. Wildomar is a 22-square mile city in the TemeculaValley that recently incorporated, but is already dealing with tough economic decisions. As part of Marketplace's "Close to Home" series, KPCC's Steven Cuevas takes a look at this Southern California town.

Listen to Steven's full story this afternoon on Marketplace beginning at 3 p.m.

Guests:

Steven Cuevas, KPCC's Inland Empire reporter

IN STUDIO

Wildomar Mayor Bob Cashman

Call him @

[NPR NEWS]

2:00 – 2:30

Smoke & Mirrors: How California Pays to Fight Wildfires

Even as the hills of Sylmar and Orange County are still smoldering and Southern California anxiously awaits the next red flag warning, various local and state fire fighting agencies are gearing up for the next round of wildfires. All of this preparation, not to mention actually fighting the increasingly intense fires, is insanely expensive and even in the face of a year-round fire season California’s system for funding this operations remains opaque and antiquated. In fact, California is alone among western states in paying for fire suppression out of its general fund. Is there a better way to fund fire fighting?

No one should question the philanthropic credentials of the Dodgers and their owners, Frank and Jamie McCourt: through the Dodgers Dream Foundation the team just committed to building 42 youth baseball fields around Southern California. But Dodgers President Jamie McCourt posed an interesting rhetorical question when asked about potential big-ticket free agent signings: in a time of recession, does it look strange for the team to commit $20+ million a year to a player like Manny Ramirez? Asks McCourt: “We’re really trying to understand, would they rather have the 50 fields?”

Guests:

Jamie McCourt, president of the Los Angeles Dodgers

BY TAPE

Matt “Money” Smith: Host of “Petros and Money” and of “The Lakers’ Zone” on KLAC

The day after Thanksgiving is typically a bright spot in the retail calendar, kicking off the holiday shopping season. But this year, when consumer spending reached record lows, Black Friday may turn bleak. Retailers do have a few rays of hope in pent-up demand and lower gasoline prices. Martha Olney, Adjunct Professor of Economics at U.C. Berkeley, joins Patt to see if sales will meet the low expectations this season.

Guests:

Martha Olney, Adjunct Professor of Economics, UC Berkeley. Olney is an expert on consumer spending and consumer debt, as well as the history of the Great Depression.

ON TAPE

1:20 – 1:40

Jetpack Dreams

Journalist Mac Montandon was once certain that by no later than the year 2000 humans would have traded in their beat up, gas-guzzling cars for shiny metal backpacks welded to jet engines. That disappointment lead him on a quest, from the first mention of the jetpack in a 1928 science fiction story, through modern Internet forums of jetpack enthusiasts and the Niagra Falls “International Rocketbelt Convention,” to the true story behind a bizarre mid-1990s case of kidnapping, imprisonment and murder—all in the name of the jetpack. Montandon joins Patt to speak about his journey writing “Jetpack Dreams: One Man’s Up and Down (But Mostly Down) Search for the Greatest Invention That Never Was” and the colorful pop history of this seemingly mythic machine.

Guest:

Mac Montandon: Author, “Jetpack Dreams: One Man’s Up and Down (But Mostly Down) Search for the Greatest Invention That Never Was”

ON TAPE

1:40 – 2:00

Ronald Reagan: From Leading Man to World Leader

In his new book, “Ronald Reagan: The Hollywood Years,” author Marc Eliot sheds light on Ronald Reagan as president…of the Screen Actors Guild. Eliot documents a period of Reagan’s life that has been left largely unexamined by biographers, and in doing so, lends new insight into the qualities that made Reagan one of America’s most popular presidents. Patt and Eliot cover Reagan’s days as a Hollywood bachelor, his place in the “Irish Mafia,” and how Hollywood shaped a future president of the United States.

Guest:

Marc Eliot, author "Ronald Reagan: The Hollywood Years"

ON TAPE

[NPR NEWS]

2:00 – 3:00

How to Eat Supper

Lynne Rosetto Kasper has been sharing cooking tips on public radio for more than a decade. Her new book, “How to Eat Supper,” is a meditation on how to bridge supper traditions of yore with today’s busy schedules—creating a meal from one dish, a piece of bread, or those cans that have been sitting in your cabinet for over a year. Named one of the 12 best cooking teachers in America by the James Beard Foundation, Lynne brings her talent to life hosting American Public Media's "The Splendid Table." She’s here to talk about "How to Eat Supper," and to impart some of her wisdom to those cooks still in the kitchen.

Young performers from Holy Redeemer Catholic School in Montrose (8th Grade)

WHAT: Music Center Christmas Tree Lighting

WHEN: Monday, December 1, 2008 at 5:00 pm

WHERE: Los Angeles County Music Center

135 N. Grand Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90012

(Thomas Guide p. 634, F3)

LOS ANGELES COUNTY-- Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich will officially kick off the holiday season in Los Angeles County with the annual lighting of the County Christmas Tree on December 1, 2008 at 5 p.m. – continuing a special tradition begun by late Supervisor Kenneth Hahn in honor of the County’s children.

Supervisor Antonovich will be joined by talented young performers from Holy Redeemer Catholic School in Montrose, to help flip the switch to light the 50-foot tree.

“Throughout history, the Christmas Tree has been a symbol of life and hope for peace and prosperity,” said Supervisor Antonovich. “For people of all faiths, it represents a time for families and friends to gather together to renew the bonds of love that give us fulfillment and joy. As we light the County tree, we invite all of our County’s citizens to reflect on the glory of the season and share our celebration.”

The tradition of lighting a Christmas tree in the United States began over a hundred years ago. In 1923, President Calvin Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree lighting Ceremony, every year on the White House lawn.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY – Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich will be sworn-in Monday for an eighth term on the Board of Supervisors representing the County’s Fifth Supervisorial District.

Michael Reagan, eldest son to President Ronald Reagan, talk show host and best-selling author, will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the swearing-in ceremony.

“It is my pledge to you that in my eighth term, I will continue to make Public Safety my Number One priority and fight for efficient, responsive County government to improve the quality of life for all County residents,” said Antonovich.

LOS ANGELES – Because of current rainfall, the County Health Officer is cautioning residents who are planning to visit Los Angeles County beaches to be careful of swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters around discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers. Bacteria, debris, trash, and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas are likely to enter ocean waters though these outlets.

“Fortunately, discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers only comprises a small portion of the beach, and therefore, anybody who wants to go to the beach will be able to enjoy their outing,” said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Public Health Director and Health Officer. “We do advise swimmers and surfers to stay away from the storm drains, creeks and rivers as there is the possibility that bacteria or chemicals from debris and trash may contaminate the water near and around these areas, and some individuals may become ill.”

Areas of the beach apart from discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers are exempted from this advisory. This advisory will be in effect until at least Sunday, November 30th at 7:00 a.m. This advisory may be extended depending on further rainfall.

Recorded information on beach conditions is available 24-hours a day on the County's beach closure hotline: 1-800-525-5662. Information is also available online at our website: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/beach/.

The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Public Health comprises more than 4,000 employees and an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more about Public Health and the work we do, please visit http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

Grab some Thanksgiving leftovers and a spot on the couch next to grandma—it’s officially StoryCorps’ National Day of Listening! StoryCorps founder David Isay joins Patt to talk about his oral history project, which helps everyday people document their lives and those of their loved ones by asking the questions that matter. This holiday season StoryCorps wants you to sit down with the people around you—an older relative, a friend, a teacher, or a familiar face from the neighborhood, and listen to their stories. Isay hopes you’ll hear and celebrate the courage, humor, trials and triumphs in everyday lives.

Guests:

David Isay (EYE-say) - founder of StoryCorps; His new book is “Listening Is an Act of Love: A Celebration of American Life from the StoryCorps Project.”

1:20 – 1:40

And You Shall Know Us By The Trail of Our Vinyl

Over an eight year journey, Roger Bennett and Josh Kun scoured the world, collecting thousands of vinyl LPs from dusty attics, garage sales, and archives. Together, these once-loved and now long-forgotten audio gems tell the story of Jews in America, and are the subject of Bennett and Kun’s new book, “And You Shall Know Us By the Trail of Our Vinyl: The Jewish Past as Told by the Records We Have Loved and Lost.” From Chubby Checker’s re-recording of the Twist to the tune of Hava Nagilah, to Lena Horne singing in Yiddish, and Perry Como’s rendition of Kol Nidre, this book celebrates the cultural cross-pollination of America. Josh joins Patt to speak about his journey.

Guests:

Josh Kun, Co-author of “And You Shall Know Us By The Trail of Our Vinyl” and Associate Professor in the AnnenbergSchool of Communication at USC

1:40 – 2:00

Before You Hit the Parties, the Stores, and Your Loved Ones…

It’s Black Friday! But instead of shopping, we’re catching up with our veteran comedian Wayne Federman about his “Very Federman Christmas 3: The Annual Comedy-Music Holiday Show,” (read: a cage fight between Christmas and Hanukah). PattMorrison’s very own Comedy Congress has finally launched one of its own into stardom—but you’ll have to listen to find out how. Wayne joins Patt to talk about why he’s converted to Christmas and the sweet life of celebrity.

Guests:

Wayne Federman, “Committee Chairman” on Comedy Congress. Wayne’s appeared in movies like “Knocked Up,” guest-starred in “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and is co-author of “Pete Maravich: The Authorized Biography of “Pistol” Pete."

[NPR NEWS]

2:00 – 2:30

An Imperfect Offering

In this searing memoir, former president of Doctors Without Borders James Orbinski explores the nature of humanitarian action and makes an urgent appeal to confront suffering around the world in a time of political and moral uncertainty. He gives a doctor’s indelible testimony from the front lines in Peru, Somalia, Afghanistan, Rwanda, Zaire, drawing on his own experiences as a medical student working in Rwanda, investigating the conditions of pediatric AIDS, and his work with Doctors Without Borders. Though it all, James Orbinski still believes in “the good we can be if we so choose.”

Guest:

James Orbinski, a former international president of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)/Doctors Without Borders. He accepted the Nobel Peace Prize for MSF in 1999.

BY TAPE

2:30 – 2:3:00

Tried By War

It may be hard to imagine a time when the role of commander and chief was not seemingly all-powerful, but the constitution and historical precedent had little to say about the role before Abraham Lincoln assumed it. As the only president whose entire administration was book-ended by war, Lincoln furnished our modern idea of commander-in-chief as he went along, battle by battle, often overstepping the narrow rights granted to the president. Civil War historian James McPherson pays homage to Lincoln in light of his upcoming bicentennial and reveals a portrait of leadership in his study of this less chartered territory of Lincoln’s legacy, “Tried By War: Abraham Lincoln as Commander in Chief.”

It’s amazing how much the world can change in just seven months. Back on April 29th, Patt was broadcasting from the Milken Institute’s Global Conference as we were just starting to experience the first waves from the credit crunch and the bursting real estate bubble. Gas was still hovering around $4/gallon, Lehman Brothers and Bear Sterns were still respected Wall St. investment firms, and Peter Orszag was still director of the Congressional Budget Office. He's now the newly appointed director of the Obama’s White House Office of Management & Budget. Patt sat down with Orszag back in April and today we reprise a part of that interview to glimpse what to expect from the new Administration.

Guests:

Peter Orszag, director of the Congressional Budget Office; incoming director of the Office of Management & Budget—taped on Tuesday, April 29th

ON TAPE

1:20 – 1:40

Jetpack Dreams

Journalist Mac Montandon was once certain that by no later than the year 2000 humans would have traded in their beat up, gas-guzzling cars for shiny metal backpacks welded to jet engines. That disappointment lead him on a quest, from the first mention of the jetpack in a 1928 science fiction story, through modern Internet forums of jetpack enthusiasts and the Niagra Falls “International Rocketbelt Convention,” to the true story behind a bizarre mid-1990s case of kidnapping, imprisonment and murder—all in the name of the jetpack. Montandon joins Patt to speak about his journey writing “Jetpack Dreams: One Man’s Up and Down (But Mostly Down) Search for the Greatest Invention That Never Was” and the colorful pop history of this seemingly mythic machine.

Guest:

Mac Montandon: Author, “Jetpack Dreams: One Man’s Up and Down (But Mostly Down) Search for the Greatest Invention That Never Was”

ON TAPE

1:40 – 2:00

Ronald Reagan: From Leading Man to World Leader

In his new book, “Ronald Reagan: The Hollywood Years,” author Marc Eliot sheds light on Ronald Reagan as president…of the Screen Actors Guild. Eliot documents a period of Reagan’s life that has been left largely unexamined by biographers, and in doing so, lends new insight into the qualities that made Reagan one of America’s most popular presidents. Patt and Eliot cover Reagan’s days as a Hollywood bachelor, his place in the “Irish Mafia,” and how Hollywood shaped a future president of the United States.

Guest:

Marc Eliot, author "Ronald Reagan: The Hollywood Years"

ON TAPE

[NPR NEWS]

2:00 – 3:00

How to Eat Supper

Lynne Rosetto Kasper has been sharing cooking tips on public radio for more than a decade. Her new book, “How to Eat Supper,” is a meditation on how to bridge supper traditions of yore with today’s busy schedules—creating a meal from one dish, a piece of bread, or those cans that have been sitting in your cabinet for over a year. Named one of the 12 best cooking teachers in America by the James Beard Foundation, Lynne brings her talent to life hosting American Public Media's "The Splendid Table." She’s here to talk about "How to Eat Supper," and to impart some of her wisdom to those cooks still in the kitchen.

WHERE: Los Angeles County Waterworks District 40 customers in Lancaster and West Palmdale, Lake Los Angeles, and Acton.

WHEN: From 6:00 a.m. Sunday, December 7 to 6:00 a.m. Saturday, December 13.

WHY: Planned upgrade and expansion work at the Quartz Hill Water Treatment Plant will require a complete shutdown for six days, reducing water supplies by 60%. All customers will need to minimize use of water to avoid potential water shortages. Up to 80% of water is used outdoors so cutting back is crucial.

LOS ANGELES - Cold weather has arrived in Los Angeles County, and the Department of Public Health would like to remind residents to use safe methods to heat their homes. Never use a barbeque, stove, or oven to heat your house.

"Every year in LA County there are carbon monoxide poisonings from a barbeque, stove, or oven used as a source of warmth," said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. "Using central heating, electric heaters, well-ventilated natural gas heaters or ventilated fireplaces are safer ways to stay warm. There are also places where people can go, such as public facilities or shelters, when the weather is too cold and other resources are not available."

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas produced by stoves, barbeques, ovens, and gas-powered appliances (such as generators). Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include shortness of breath, headaches, muscle and joint pain, and nausea. Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can lead to death within minutes. Those suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning should be taken outside, into fresh air, immediately, and should be taken to an emergency room for immediate medical treatment. Young children and seniors are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.

When heating your home:

Check to make sure heating appliances are in good working condition before using them.

Furnaces and fireplaces should be checked to ensure that chimneys or flues are not blocked to allow for proper ventilation.

Install a carbon monoxide detector in your home to reduce the risk of poisoning.

If you use an outdoor generator, place it as far away from the home as possible, as carbon monoxide can seep into the home through windows, doors, and crawl spaces.

A winter shelter program is available for seniors and those looking for a place to beat cold weather. Locations and transportation information can be found on the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority's website at: http://www.lahsa.org/year_round_shelter.asp, or by calling the LA County Information line at 2-1-1 from any landline or cell phone.

The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Public Health comprises more than 4,000 employees and an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more about Public Health and the work we do, please visit http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

The Probation Department thanks St Didacus Catholic Church for opening its doors and allowing us to serve our community in this time of need. Our hearts and prayers go out to each of the families that were affected by the Sayre fire earlier this month.

WHEN: Thursday, November 27, 2008

Noon to 3pm

WHERE: St. Didacus Catholic Church

14337 Astoria Street

Sylmar, 91342

Thomas Guide Page 481 (J-5)

For more information, please contact event coordinator Patrick Hammond at